Sound Off appearing in the Feb. 26 Daily Times

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

WHERE ARE THE JOBS?

To the callers saying there are jobs out there, can anyone tell me where they're at? I've been online and yes, there are some jobs posted. But I'm looking for something that's not a minimum-wage retail job. It seems like the only decent ones out there are federal government positions that require constant travel. At my age I'd rather not be out on the highways for long periods of time with some of the drivers out there. Where are the decent jobs?

CUTS ARE THE PROBLEM

To "The Perils of Greece," the reason Greece is in the shape it's in is because of draconian spending cuts -- the same kind of spending cuts you are advocating for this country, ones without revenue. Spending cuts without revenue do nothing but shrink the economy. Every reputable economist in the country agrees with this, as opposed to your standard talking points on spending cuts that have no basis in fact.

GET SEX OUT OF SPORTS

Regarding all of the people who say girls should be able to play on boys' sports teams, the only fair and constitutional thing to do would be to outlaw boys' and girls' sports. Just make all sports unisex.

JUST WONDERIN' DAN

TWISTING IN THE WIND

Politicians in Washington are hanging the rest of the country into limbo. It's terrible what's going on in Congress. Everyone wants to blame the president, but it's not his fault, it's the legislators. Everyone should resign so we can have a special election. The only two things I respect now are the flag and the troops.

FED UP WITH POLITICS IN WASHINGTON

ANOTHER GOP CRISIS

The sequester is a group of automatic budget cuts that kick in March 1. It's another premeditated financial crisis that the Republicans have created. It's a no-brainer as to which way the American public is leaning in regards to the showdown. A new Pew Research Center/USA Today survey finds that only 19 percent of Americans side with the Republican "cuts-only" strategy while 76 percent say they want a solution that includes spending cuts and tax increases.

THIS COP DELIVERS

I'd like to thank Prospect Park Police Officer Coffin for his professionalism, courtesy, and quick response to our concerns last Friday night.

SHOOTING DOGS? AWFUL

I don't know how anyone can shoot two innocent dogs. Anyone who can should hang their head in shame. They say you can judge someone's character by how they treat the elderly and animals. The least the system can do is order immediate restitution by getting the family new dogs.

RACE TO IRRELEVANCY

In light of the accident at Daytona, is a governmental agency going to replace the stock cars with bumper cars? We've made progress in addressing the grave dangers that sodas over 16 ounces in size pose to the public at large. Now it's time to take care of the race car drivers.

COWARDS USE GUNS

To "Relying on Personal Fortitude," I think you missed the original caller's point. The need to use weapons all goes back to cowardice. It starts with cowardly criminals committing armed robberies on the street, in stores, or in home invasions, and spreads through society from there.

GO WEST FOR WORK

To the callers who want to know where the jobs are, you have to relocate to find them. The jobs that used to be around just aren't around anymore. There are still certain jobs in certain fields in certain areas, but you have to seek them out. In the meantime, better to take something low-paying.

and get money coming in until something better comes along, be it around here or elsewhere.

HALF A LOAF IS ... ?

Only in Washington, D.C., can someone say the "sequester" is cutting spending. Look at it this way. Your boss tells you you'll receive a $2 an hour raise on March 1. On March 1, your boss says the company is not making enough money for you to receive the $2 an hour raise, but, you will get $1 an hour. Now you go home and tell everyone your pay was cut 50 percent. Who is right?

BLAME THE PUBLIC

The fault of the sequester all comes back to the American public. As long as voters keep voting for charismatic career politicians problems like these will keep happening. Voting along party lines and acceptance of no term limits will keep the status quo going. Voters accepting the same old talking points at campaign time shouldn't be blaming Washington for anything.